Care management for depression and osteoarthritis pain in older primary care patients: a pilot study

Authors:
UNUTZER Jurgen, et al
Journal article citation:
International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 23(11), November 2008, pp.1166-1171.
Publisher:
Wiley

This study aimed to establish the feasibility of and to generate preliminary evidence for the efficacy of a care management program addressing both physical and emotional pain associated with late-life depression and osteoarthritis. Treatment development pilot study in three university affiliated primary care clinics in the United States. Participants were patients 60 years or older with depression and osteoarthritis pain. The intervention entailed a nurse administered care management program supporting depression and arthritis treatment by primary care physicians. Outcomes include depression, pain severity and functional impairment from pain assessed at baseline and 6 months. Fourteen patients participated in the pilot program. Between baseline and 6 months, mean HSCL-20 depression scores, pain intensity scores and pain interference scores dropped. Patients also experienced improvements in self efficacy, in satisfaction with depression care, and in timed 8-m walk and transfer tests. The combined intervention was feasible and well-received by patients. Preliminary outcomes are promising and comparisons to an earlier trial of care management for depression alone suggest that the combined program may be equally effective for depression but more effective for pain.

Subject terms:
intervention, older people, pain, primary care, arthritis, care management, depression;
Content type:
research
Location(s):
United States
Link:
Journal home page
ISSN online:
1099-1166
ISSN print:
0885-6230

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